Scanning dot peen markings on cylinder blocks

Traceability management is essential in the manufacturing of automotive parts, especially for cast components like cylinder blocks. 2D codes (DataMatrix) marked by dot peen marking are widely used for this purpose, but wear on the pen tip can cause the dots to blur or thicken, which is a major cause of reading errors. This reading instability is a critical issue that can lead to production line stoppages.

KEYENCE's SR-X Series AI-powered code reader solves this problem with its proprietary image processing technology. A powerful image processing filter instantly corrects codes degraded by blurring or thickening. By extracting the dot contours and restoring the original code shape, it enables reliable decoding of even low-quality DPM (direct part marking) that was previously difficult to read. Furthermore, the AI automatically learns and adjusts for variations in print quality and environmental changes such as ambient light, always maintaining stable reading under optimal conditions. This ensures thorough individual management of metal parts, including cylinder blocks, improving quality control levels and maximizing production efficiency.

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